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Blues Underground Network Featured Review - Bare Bones Boogie Band "BBBBCD2" (UK) |
The Bare Bones
Boogie Band's release "BBBBCD2", is my 2nd introduction to their amazing
music. Their debut release caught my attention and caught it fast, of
which I wrote in my review of it, "When I first listened to this Album, it was not long in
before I came to the realization that this one was something really
special. After I listened to it again I realized that I was not only
listening to something very special but something very rare, especially in
todays over cluttered blah blah music scene, in fact I can very honestly
say that not only was this album the best I have heard so far in 2010, it
is simply the best I have heard, in many years." Not only did
I give that Album a 5***** Rating, I also picked it as Best UK Blues
Album in my 2010
Year End Review and placed it at #5 on my Top Ten
Albums List for 2010, as
well.
Simply called
"BBBBCD2", this album was released January 1, 2012, almost 2 years to
the date of their debut release, and really the only noticeable
difference, at least externally, is that the coloring of the bands name is
blue instead of red as with their first album. Internally though, it is
still all there. Great Rock, Blues, and Boogie performed via the steller
lineup of Helen Turner (Vocals), Iain Black (Guitar), Trev Turley (Bass),
and Andy Jones (Drums), the exact same lineup as their debut album, which
I was really glad to see.
The Bare Bones
Boogie Band was formed in London in October 2008.
"BBBBCD2" consists of 10 Tracks of
which 8 are originals written by Iain Black, 1 original written by
Andy Jones, and 1 cover of Robert Johnson's "Love Is Vain". The Tracks
from what I can remember from the first album, seemed to be a little
slower in tempo, but certainly no less enjoyable to listen to, as they
seem to have more fullness and maturity to them, which probably comes from
the fact that the band has yet grown together for another 2 years,
instrumentally and lyrically. Their sound, which continues to grow in
leaps and bounds, I would best describe as a cross between a Ballad Driven
Rolling Stones and a Vocal Driven Jefferson Airplane, especially with the
amazing, second to none vocals of Helen Turner. The Bare Bones Boogie Band
have managed to shake off all the excess baggage that to many modern days
bands, don't quite know how to do yet, and in doing so they expose
themselves to a more honest and creative sound, similar to a lot of the
great Blues and Rock bands of the early 70's.
As far as
picking a few favorites, which is not an easy task on such a intensely
rich and full album as "BBBBCD2", their were however a few that stood out
for more me just slightly more than the others. Track 1 "Fallin' For
Foolin'", which is the opening Track, caught my attention for various
reasons, but in the end it was how everyone seemed to come together
perfectly on that song, with everyone getting in on the act and showing
off their wares, especially Trev Turley's big Bass beat, something that he
carries over onto the next 2 Track, even more so. My next favorite was
Track 7 "Love Is Vain", a performance that would silence any doubters
about the Vocal prowess of Helen Turner. Done a little slower than the
Stone version, this version is no less powerful, especially from the
middle part onwards, where Helen lets her Vocals fly. The next Track "A
Little Bit More" caught my attention right away with the first few
opening chords which reminded me a lot of Jethro Tull's "The Teacher".
Again beautiful Vocals and exceptional Musicianship from the other members
of the band which permeate this Track, as they do throughout
"BBBBCD2".
With
"BBBBCD2", the Bare Bones Boogie Band have certainly not fallen victim to
the Sophomore Jinx, as they have managed to put out an album that is equal
to, if not better than their Debut. "BBBBCD2" shows that they all had an
intense desire to let it be known that they have matured and
grown as a band, lyrically, vocally, and instrumentally, and they
certainly have. "BBBBCD1" was certainly the icing on the cake, but
"BBBBCD2" was the richness of the batter that ultimately wins
over.
"BBBBCD2" is
a wonderful 2nd album from a band whom is doing a wonderful service in
making sounds that keeps our hopes alive for the future of
the music industry, as one of their still young
stars.
5*****...
Highly Recommended and Thoroughly Enjoyed...
Review By
John Vermilyea (Blues
Underground Network)
Listen To Samples Here...
Additional Artist Info... http://www.barebonesboogieband.com/
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